Animals

ARTICLES ABOUT ANIMALS BY DATE - PAGE 3

Today's question: How would you convince someone to attend the Brown County Fair who has never been? The Brown County Fair continues to be a well known regional event with headliner entertainment day after day. It is a well-run, well-organized event helped along by the favorable annual rich history of both Aberdeen and Brown County. Bernie Webb Gettysburg I am always impressed with the free admission and the amount of volunteers. It is fun to go because of all the good food and people watching.

Being proactive is the best way to deal with heat stress in cattle. Once cattle are in a severe state of heat stress, you may be too late to help them, cautions Carl Dahlen, a North Dakota State University Extension Service beef cattle specialist. Having a solid management plan in place to address heat stress could pay big dividends in the form of maintained animal performance during periods of heat and in avoiding death losses in severe cases. Heat stress occurs when cattle are not able to dissipate heat.

COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO.- March 11 of this year marked a major day for the U.S. livestock industry as that's the date the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's Veterinary Services final rule on animal traceability took effect. March 11 was just the start, as now all involved industry parties must be on the same page. To that end, the National Institute for Animal Agriculture and U.S. Animal Health Association have partnered again to provide a platform where parties involved in animal disease traceability can discuss avenues to ensure success of the rule's implementation plus address possible bumps in the road and how to work through these challenges.

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (AP) - An animal rights organization wants to take its campaign to the Nebraska State Fair, where exhibitors and fairgoers celebrate the state's rich traditions of agriculture, livestock farming and ranching. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has applied for a booth at this year's fair, which runs Aug. 23-Sept. 2 in Grand Island. PETA trips to state fairs in Iowa and elsewhere last year reflected a strategy for trying to guide consumers away from meat and decrying what PETA members view as often deplorable exploitations of farm animals.

We are blessed here in the Northern Plains with plenty of opportunities for kids to learn firsthand about animals. Even for kids who don't live on a farm, visits to a grandparent's farm, a petting zoo or a county fair can offer chances for kids to touch, pet, and interact with live animals - Experiences they can't get from TV or books. Although we perceive South Dakota as a rural state, there are actually more people living in non-rural than rural areas. As a result, fewer and fewer of our children have a concept of what it takes to care for livestock and other animals.

BROOKINGS - SDSU Extension is co-hosting an environmental training session for operators of Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) July 10 in Huron. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Crossroads Convention Center, 100 Fourth St. S.W. in Huron. The cost is $50 and includes lunch, breaks and training materials. The program begins at 8:50 a.m. and concludes at approximately 4:45 p.m. To register, contact Candy Rogness at (605) 688-5141. Specialists from SDSU Extension, South Dakota State University, the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Natural Resources Conservation Service are offering the training.

The South Dakota School for the Blind and Visually Impaired has a new mascot. The school isn't dropping the Pioneer name, which has been used for decades, but a stuffed black bear named Sir Black-Beary has become a fixture. "It's a more tangible mascot," said Marje Kaiser, school superintendent. "It's something the kids can relate to. " Sir Black-Beary has cheered on students at track meets, met with the South Dakota Board of Regents, has been there for graduation ceremonies and even had fun at Storybook Land.

Well over 25 years ago, the Aberdeen Area Humane Society began operating after a need was seen in our area. At that time, it was started by Tammy Schanzenbach, a former employee of the Animal Health Clinic, and was also housed at the clinic. From the start, Dr. William Svensen of Animal Health Clinic, did routine vet checks, stool checks, distemper combo vaccinations for the protection of the animals and critical and supportive care at minimal charge to the shelter. Adoption fees paid to the shelter were used solely for routine care needs of the animals.

Article by Andrea Paulson with contributions from Megan Nielson. You have taken the time to select your show animal, turned in your 4-H Ownership Verification Form, and have begun working and preparing them for show. However there is one step that should not be overlooked when planning on exhibiting purebred livestock at the South Dakota State Fair, registration papers! All animals entered and exhibited in the 4-H Division purebred/ registered market or breeding animal shows at the South Dakota State Fair are required to be registered by their corresponding breed association.

A new immunization policy at the Aberdeen Area Humane Society might cost a little more, but the benefits to the animals, shelter workers and their future owners are worth the extra money, said Carole Kiesz, a board member. About two months ago, the Aberdeen Area Humane Society changed its policy on immunizations and testing, Kiesz said. When that happened, the society also switched to a new veterinarian, Darcee Munsterteiger of the Northern Plains Animal Health Clinic. In the past under William Svenson of the Animal Health Clinic, an animal would not get spayed or neutered or receive all immunizations until it was selected for adoption, Kiesz said.